Dinosaur skeleton may be of new species

THE skeleton of what could be a new dinosaur species — a giant, Patagonian plant-eater — has been uncovered in Argentina. At more than 105 feet, it is among the largest ever found, scientists said yesterday.

Scientists from Argentina and Brazil said the Patagonian dinosaur appears to represent a previously unknown species because of the unique structure of its neck. They named it Futalognkosaurus dukei after the Mapuche Indian words for “giant” and “chief”, and for Duke Energy Argentina, which helped fund the skeleton’s excavation.

“This is one of the biggest in the world and one of the most complete of these giants that exist,” said Jorge Calvo, director of paleontology centre of National University of Comahue, Argentina, lead author of a study on the dinosaur published in the Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences.

Scientists said the giant herbivore walked the Earth some 88 million years ago.

Since the first bones were found on the banks of Lake Barreales in the Argentine province of Neuquen in 2000, paleontologists have dug up the dinosaur’s neck, back region, hips and the first vertebra of its tail.

“I’m pretty certain it’s a new species,” agreed Peter Mackovicky, associate curator for dinosaurs at Chicago’s Field Museum, who was not involved with the discovery.

Patagonia also was home to the other two largest dinosaur skeletons found to date — Argentinasaurus and Puertasaurus reuili.

The site where Futalognkosaurus was found has been a bonanza for paleontologists, yielding more than 1,000 specimens, including 240 fossil plants and 300 teeth.